Kerrigan's LawCongratulations to Joyce Ward, who won yesterday’s drawing! I’ll be emailing Joyce to arrange delivery of her choice of book.
Let’s talk about vampires.
I still remember watching Frank Langella in the 1979 movie Dracula. He gave sexy a whole new meaning when it came to vampires.
Back in the early 90’s, vampires started to get hot in romance novels, too. Author Lori Herter wrote some vampire romances, including Obsession, one I still have on my keeper shelf. (Lori was mentioned not long ago on the Smart Bitches, Trashy Books website.) Paranormal was popular, especially time travel and vampires. Then by the mid 90’s, no publisher wanted to see anything even the slightest bit paranormal. By the early 21st century, publishers had changed their tune, and vampires were back stronger than ever, thanks to authors like Christine Feehan, Sherrilyn Kenyon, J.R. Ward, Susan Squires and Kerrilyn Sparks. Then Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight came about, bringing the young adult crowd into this world.
In the late 90’s, TV brought us Buffy the Vampire Slayer and her star-crossed vampire love, Angel. (I still root for them, curse or no curse!) Later in the season, there was Buffy and poet-at-heart Spike. I could write a month of blogs on BTVS, so I’ll stop myself now. 😉
Over the past ten years or so, vampire romances have soared in popularity. It seems there are dozens and dozens of them out there, all different flavors of the vampire world. Everyone has their own set of rules, making each story unique. But are there too many now? Has the vampire romance lost its allure? Tell me what you think!
Those who comment get entered in today’s drawing for a free paperback title from my backlist!
Tags: Books, BTVS, Buffy, Christine Feehan, contest, Debra Mullins, giveaway, J.R. Ward, Kerrilyn Sparks, Lori Herter, romance novels, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Smart Bitches Trashy Books, Stephenie Meyer, Susan Squires
I think that individual Authors put their spin on their books, and as a result, Vampire books will be around for a long time. Historical Regency Romance is another sub-genre that has thousands of different spins to it. I never get tired of reading either one. These books are my escape to happiness.
Good point, Diane!
I go through moments when I think vampires are too done and cliche. But a few authors will come out that wows me.
Laura Wright is one of those authors. Awww Luca, I love that foul-mouth, ill tempered vampire. LOL
Sherrilyn Kenyon. Larissa Ione has some vampires in her Demonica (theyare more side characters and stuff) well save for Wraith but he’s all a man of his own.
I’m not really on the vampire bandwagon either, though I do love Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark Hunters. 🙂
So far, I certainly don’t seem to be tiring of vampires, who have always been my favorite paranormal heroes. I find myself falling in love with new vampire series (and their heroes) all the time, Lara Adrian’s Midnight Breed series being the most recent.
I’ve heard good things about Lara Adrian. I’ll have to check her out!
I’ve never been big on the vampires. You know, they take you out, suck your blood, and then they never call.
Somehow they have changed from horrible monsters to superheroes. He has to be a really special vampire to get me to read a vampire book. (Although I must confess that I have watched “Fright Night” several times lately but only because of David Tennant.)
Frank Langella had me from the first, and I’ve enjoyed some of the new spins some authors are doing. But vampires never really took with me.